I feel as though I am at the point where I am confident in my ability, comfortable in my setting that I have used my time in the past several weeks to try new teaching techniques, focus on project-based learning and starting focusing more on individual student's needs (i.e. 3 students from my college prep class that do not even blink).
I have met with each student during an advisory period. I have "Advisory Dates" with the students on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The first time I met, I learned about the students, what they enjoyed out of school, their goals after school and how they prefer to learn. They have acknowledged why exactly they are not contributing or interested in the class work. We have also made a deal with "modified lessons" in which they have to check in with me on Advisory date days. So far.......this has worked this week. Next, week I will certainly.....keep you posted if my strategies are working. THIS IS MY GOAL FOR THE REMAINING THREE WEEKS.....it is a class that I have only taken over 2 weeks ago so although I do not have much time.....I am dedicated to making a difference
The last thing that I have learned through out my weeks is how to create my lesson using a backwards approach. I look over the chapter from the text and the GSEs. I pick out the 5 big ideas that I want my students to know. Then I think about what can my students produce (have them doing) that will lead to the "Five Big Ideas." I also think about how can my students produce something or create something that the whole class has to work on in order to ensure that the students will complete their work at the level they are capable of and the level I expect.
-Sharing on 4/13- Ashley Borden's (NKHS)